Quote:
Originally Posted by markheck1
this mght not be the best place for this, but here goes....
This is a question for the LEO's on the board, but more as an inquiry in general....
With all of the technology of today's society....Police Cruisers have computers in them, EVERYONE'S office has a computer with internet access.....Is there not access to an applicable law library to a Police Officer? I realize the average officer does not have time to research every crime at every bust....but when they encounter something new, and are presented with facts that are new.....shouldn't there be a way to get that Officer this important information? Rather than call someone else who has no clue, either....
Seems to me like it would be a better way to do things. Rather than arrest someone for "Contemp of Cop" and hope it sticks, or drop it later....
OK...Rant over.....just something I was wondering this morning  |
Since this is obviously being asked in light of recent events, I'll provide my opinion in that context.
The police don't need to be well-versed in the details of the law, but they have to understand the basics. To me, understanding things like what constitutes reasonable/unreasonable search and seizure (in other words, understanding the 4th Amendment) is pretty basic.
For the details, the police already have something better than an often unreliable and uneducated Internet opinion or database: they have local prosecutors and DAs. If the police aren't sure what to do, or aren't aware of what's legal and what's not, they should contact their prosecutors and ask. However, they shouldn't break the law illegally detaining people while figure out what to do. If that's a problem for the police, then they should be proactive and be better prepared prior to an incident occurring.